Friday, 19 April 2013

Black Guillemots having a 'domestic' and 'copulating'

Early this morning I went down to Bangor Pier to see the Black Guillemots. There were quite a numbers around, some in the water, others on the the Pier while others were at their nest holes. This one was having a big yawn!

Black Guillemot having a yawn

Then I heard a terrible commotion from one of the nest holes and the video below shows 2 of them having a 'domestic'. Since one of them never stopped harping at the other, I had to assume that was the female giving off in no uncertain terms to the male! What ever had he done to deserve this telling off. It went on for over 5 minutes and although he turned his back on her several times, thinking this might stop her, it didn't work as she obviously was very upset about something and wanted him to feel her whole wrath.

It was even doing my head in so I focused on this pair below who were sitting on the Pier and as I watched as he sidled up to her, jumped on her back and copulated. When you watch the video below, if you blink you may miss this!

Other than a Rock Pipit walking up and down the slipway and a feral Pigeon, there was nothing else at the Harbour. In the Long hole there were a few Turnstone, Redshank, more Black Guillemots and the usual Gulls.

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About Me

I have retired from a medical background, from teaching a 3 year City and Guilds; and also running a Bed and Breakfast. I have taken up bird watching later in life however I became very enthusiastic from the beginning and was greatly encouraged by other bird watchers. For the past 8 years I have led a bird group in my town and have become a guest speaker on cruise shipstalking about Birds around the world. I have travelled quite a bit,in particular to Australia where one of my daughters lives. I have now as many birding friends there as at home in Northern Ireland. I love Nature and being able to share that with others of like mind. I also like photography and do my best to photograph birds although I sometimes get a bit frustrated as my zoom is just not powerful enough.

My daughter and family that were in Australia have now moved to Malawi to work and I have visited them several times as well as visiting Zambia. I.live in Northern Ireland which is part of the UK and it is a beautiful place to live however I love travelling and wil continnue to travel aslong as I am able. I would love to go to visit bloggers that I follow and they are always very welcome here in N. Ireland.